Vyasa comes to visit

The next day they were visited by the sage Vyasa. Yudhistira greeted the sage and told him all that had happened the previous day.
Vyasa was pleased with the behavior of Yudhistira and blessing him, left.

The next day, Yudhistira asked Sahadeva - You are good with numbers. Do tell how many more days are left before we finish twelve years of exile.

Sahadeva said only six days were left.

Yudhistira said it was time to live in disguise.  They spent a few days things where they should live. 

All are revived

Dharma revealed himself. He said I am your father and I am proud to have you as my son. Kunti is a blessed person to have given birth to you. I am pleased with your answers and justification. I will revive your brothers and Draupadi.

Reviving all, Dharma vanished.
When the others woke up, they asked Yudhistira why they were in a different place.

Yudhistira told them all that had happened.

They slept that night there.

Yudhistira given a boon

Listening to Yudhistira, the crane said I am Dharma. I came to test you. I am pleased with your answers.
Ask for a boon. I will revive one person.
Yudhistira said Then please revive Sahadeva.
The Crane said You are a fool. You could have asked for Bhima or Arjuna who would help to you. Why ask for Sahadeva?

Yudhistira said Nakula and Sahadeva were the sons of my step mother. With me and Sahadeva we will be able to give offerings to the dead step mother and my father.

Questions of the Yaksha

Question : What is the wonderful journey? Who is truly happy? What is the greatest wonder? What is the path? And what is the news
Answer from Yudhistira -
Brahma makes the sun rise and ascend. The Gods perambulate about the Sun. The Dharma sets the Sun. Truth is the actual Sun and the Sun is established in Truth only and its journey is the most wonderful journey.
He who has no debts is truly happy. Day after day countless people die. Yet the living wish to live forever, what can be a greater wonder? Argument leads to no certain conclusion, the Srutis are different from one another; there is not even one Rishi whose opinion can be accepted by all. The truth about Dharma and duty is hid in the cave of our hearts, therefore that alone is the path along which the great have trod. This world full of ignorance is like a pan. The sun is fire, the days and nights are fuel. The months and the seasons constitute the wooden ladle. Time is the cook that is cooking all creatures in that pan.

Yudhistira goes in search

Seeing his brothers and wife not returning, Yudhistira decided to go himself.
He went the same the others had gone till he came across the magical lake.
He saw floating in the waters, the bodies of his brothers and Draupadi.
He fainted on the ground. Coming to his his sense later, he started crying to Krishna for help.

Seeing no other alternative he decided to kill himself. The crane then said I have four questions for you. Answer my questions and then have some water.
Your brothers and Draupadi did not listen to me and are now dead.

Ask your questions - Yudhistira said.

Draupadi goes in search

Seeing his brothers not returning, Yudhistora asked Draupadi to go in search of the brothers, taking the name of Krishna.
She too met the same fate as the others. 

Sahadeva goes in search

Seeing the brothers not returning, Yudhistira asked Sahadeva to go.
Sahadeva went and met the same fate as his brothers.

Janmajeya asked the sage - Yudhistira is a great learned person. Why did he not go and let his brothers go?
The sage said - Dharma had clouded the thinking power of Yudhistira.

Nakula goes in search

Seeing the two brothers not returning, Yudhistira asked Nakula to take a look.
Nakula left and soon came across the lake. The crane said he had four questions. Nakula needed to answer them and then have the water.
Nakula did not listen, and touching the water, fell dead. 

Arjuna goes in search of Bhima

Bhima said he would have some water first and then deal with questions. As soon as he touched the water, he fell down dead.
Seeing Bhima not return, Yudhistira asked Arjuna to go look for him. Maybe Bhima had got into a fight with someone.
Arjuna picking his weapons and left. He soon found the celestial lake.
The crane said Arjuna, first answer my question. If you touch the water without answering me, you will die.
Arjuna saw Bhima lying there. He wondered what had happened. Not listening to the bird, Arjuna touched the water and fell dead. 

Bhima goes in search of water

Janmajeya asked - What did the Pandavas do after this?
The sage said -
One day the Pandavas were very thirsty. Yudhistira said to Bhima, It would be good if he went in search of water. Bhima agreed and went. He did not find any water body near by and soon he left that forest to find a source of water.
Wanting to test Yudhistira, Yama/ Dharma created a magical source of water there. Bhima seeing that went to get some water when a crane stopped him He said I have a question. Answer me first. I want to know what this means. I have four questions, answer those first before you touch the water. Do not touch the water before you answer me.

(In Vyasa's version of the Mahabharata, Nakula first searches out and climbs a tree. He spots a lake and is the first to go. Kasi Das changed the order and made the episode into small chapters)

The Mango Fruit

The next day, when the Pandavas work up, Draupadi thought of what the sage had said. She was proud of the fact that the sage had called her a pious woman.
Krishna, knowing this, decided it was time to teach her a lesson.
Draupadi happened to see a mango tree and from that tree was dangling a fruit. It was not the season for mangoes, Seeing the fruit, Draupadi asked Arjuna to get that for her.
Arjuna, using his arrow, got the fruit for her.
At that moment, Krishna happened to come there. He said to Arjuna it was not proper to have plucked this untimely fruit and misfortune would follow.
Yudhistira came there and wanted to know what should do they with the fruit, and what could they do to avoid the misfortune.
Krishna said there was a sage called Sandipan who was known as great sage among sages, It was because of the power of his meditation that the tree was bearing a fruit, everyday. The fruit ripened in the evening and when the sage came home, he had that fruit.
Now that Arjuna has given the fruit to Draupadi, when the sage comes and does not find the fruit, he would curse all and burn you down.I do not see any way out.
Yudhistira said Krishna, You alone can find a way out. You are a well wisher of the Pandavas and can help us out.
Krishna said if the fruit went back to the tree and ripened, the misfortune would be averted.
Yudhistira wanted to know how to proceed.
Krishna said Every Pandava and Draupadi had to say loudly what they were thinking. If all said the truth, the fruit would go back.
They all agreed.
Yudhistira said He was thinking always that when he got back his kingdom, he would serve his people and feed the brahmanas. As soon as he said this, the fruit went up in the air some distance and stopped.
Bhima said he was always thinking of ways to kill the Kauravas and Dushshasana in particular. He also said he wanted to break the things of Duryodhana.
When he said this, the mango went some distance.
Arjuna said he was thinking of how to kill Karna. The mango went some more distance.
Nakula said he was thinking of ways to serve the king and the kingdom when Yudhistira was got back his throne.
Sahadeva said he was thinking of ways to serve the king and make him happy.
When the twins said this, the mango went very close to the tree.
Draupadi then said She was thinking of how Arjuna and Bhima would kill the Kauravas.
As soon as Draupadi said this, the mango started falling down.

Yudhistira said Why did this happen.
Krishna said Draupadi did not say the truth.
The Pandavas asked Krishna to do something.
Krishna said If Draupadi told the truth the fruit would go back to the tree.

Draupadi kept quiet. Seeing this the Pandavas started loosing their temper, fearing that they would be loosing their lived because of Draupadi.

Draupadi slowly said - When her swayamvar was happening, she had, at one time, wanted to get married to Karna along with the Pandavas. Then she would have had six husbands instead of five.

The moment she said this, the fruit went up and stuck to the tree, as if it had never been plucked.

Yudhistira was quiet.
Bhima said The ladies are happy to serve and be with one husband, and here you want more than five. If this is your character, how could a sage call you a pious person. In the court, you spoke of justice and purity, and is this what was really in your mind?

Krishna then said, It is not proper to say such things to Draupadi. I know what is going on in the minds of people. This is not the right time to talk about this. When Yudhistira is the king, I will then tell you the reason behind this. All I will say now is, Do not doubt the character of Draupadi. She has not committed any sin. The mango fruit was here to break the pride of Draupadi.

The Pandavas decided to leave when Krishna said it would be improper to come to the hut of sage and leave without visiting. It would be just, to wait for the sage to come back. The Pandavas decided to wait.

The sage came was very pleased to see Krishna there with the Pandavas. He served them fruits and praised Krishna.

Staying the night there, they all left. The Pandavas and Draupadi went back to their hut and Krishna left for Dwaraka.

Savitri returns home

Savitri went back and sat where she had left Satyavana. Soon the sun set and it became dark.
Suddenly Satyavana opened his eyes.Seeing darkness, he said to Savitri - I do not know this part of the forest well. You should have reminded me it was getting dark and woken me. Now parents will be worried.
Savitri said I did not wake you as I thought that will bring about misfortune. She said it was better they took shelter in a tree and waited for dawn to come.
Satyavana agreed to that.
In the hut, the blind king was worried. His son was never this late. What had happened? Also his daughter in law had gone along? Hearing their wailing, the hermits residing nearby came to see what had happened. The king said he had regained his sight but his son and daughter in law had not returned. The hermits said This was a good sign and soon they would all be united.
As soon as the sun rose, Satyavan and Savitri quickly gathered fruits and wood and sped towards their hut.
When they asked her what had happened, Savitri then told them the truth. Hearing this, they qwere amazed at the feat of Savitri.
A few months later the news came that Savitri's father had been blessed with a son.
Soon Satyavana fought the enemies and regained his rightful kingdom.

Ending his tale, the sage said I see the same qualities of Savitri in Draupadi.

So saying, the sage left.

Savitri gets boons from Yama

Satyavan came and lay down with his head on Savitri's lap. Soon, his breathing stopped. Savitri decided to be there. She remained sitting there.
In the heaven, Yama asked his followers to go and get the soul of Satyavana.  The Yamdoots came there. There was a glow emanating from Savitri's body. The helpers, not able to go close, went back to Yama.
Yama then came himself. He said the time of Satyavana on his world was over and he needed to go. Savitri said she was not stopping him.
Yama swooped Satyavana's soul and started on his journey.
Savitri started following Yama. Yama asked her to go back but she said she would go where her husband was going. Savitri knew that death was ultimate truth but as a human it would take her some time to come to terms with that, and she would thus have to go where her husband was going.
Pleased Yama said Ask for a boon. Ask for anything other than your husband.
Savitri said let my father have sons.
Yama said So be it.
Savitri still did not leave Yama.
Yama asked her to go back and she said she was reluctant to do so.
Yama said ask for a boon other than your husband.
Savitri said Let my father in law regain his sight.
Yama said So be it.
Savitri still continued.
She said I want to know the ultimate truth and thus I am coming with you.
Yama said Ask for something other than your husband.
Savitri said Let my father in law regain his kingdom.
Yama said So Be It.
Savitri still did not not leave.
Savitri said I know the world is an illusion and that all have to go, leaving their near and dear ones. I want to know how to combat that.
Yama said I will give you anything that you need other than your husband.
Savitri said Let me have a son through Satyavana.
Yama said You wil have many sons. No please go home.
Savitri still did not leave.
Yama said I gave you four boons, what more do you need.
Savitri said You blessed me to have sons, but how will that be possible if my husband is not with me?

Yama said You are clever and pious. Anyone who listens to your tale will be blessed. Go where you were, your husband will come to life. Your tale will be told among women and you will be known as the one who got her husband back from death.

Savitri gets married

Knowing his daughter's mind, the king went to the forest and got Satyavana to his kingdom and with all rites, got his daughter married to him. Satyavana's parents were sad to see that their daughter in law, who had raised in all luxuries, would have to live the life of a hermit. Everyone who Savitri were pleased with her beauty and behavior.
After her marriage, Savitri took care of her aged parents in law. Somewhere in her heart she was aware that her husband would not live long, and she began worshiping the Gods and feeding the brahmans.
Soon time passed and slowly, Savitri also forgot that.
When two days were left for the year to end, Savitri realized it was time for her to be separated from her husband. She decided not to do anything and let destiny take it's course.
She immersed herself in the worship of Vishnu and Lakshmi.
When the day arrived, Savitri got up early and fed the brahmans who came to her door.
Satyavana decided to go to the forest to get fruits and wood for fire. Savitri said she would accompany her husband. She did not tell anyone why she wanted to go.
Reluctantly Satyavana allowed her to come with him.
She was feeling restless but did not let anyone realize what was going on in her mind.
Seeing a tall tree, Satyavana decided to climb that to get the dry branches for firewood.
Suddenly Satyavana said he was having a massive headache and was not able to see properly.
Savitri asked him to come down and lie with his head on her lap. She would gently press his head and the headache would vanish.

Savitri

Yudhistira said I am pleased to hear the amazing story of Rama. Who is this Savitri that you mention? I want to know more.
Markandeya said - In the king of Avani was a king called Ashwapati. He prayed to Shiva for a child. He soon was blessed with a daughter who was named Savitri. She was beautiful to look at and even the Gods were jealous of her beauty. She was also a very learned person.

One day, when she was grown up, Savitri went to the forest with her friends. She came across a ashrama of a sage and decided to visit that. This was the ashrama of Dyumatsena. He was the king of Avantika, who had been defeated by his enemies and had settled down in the forest. His son, Satyavana, was with him. Satyavana was a very handsome person.
Savitri saw him and wanted to know who the handsome person was. Hearing and knowing about him, Savitri wanted to have him as her husband.
She went and told her mother. The queen and her husband were sad that Savitri had chosen a homeless person to be her husband.
One day Narada came to visit the king. Seeing Savitri, the sage asked who she was. The king said this was his only daughter. The sage asked if she had been married, and the king said No, but his daughter had chosen to marry the son of sage.
Narada asked Savitri who the person was, whom she had chosen. She said he was the son of King Dyumatsena. Narada said he knew who the sage was and asked her to choose another as her husband.
Savitri said she would not do that. She had given her heart away and would live with that.
The king asked the sage Why he was asking his daughter to choose another person?
The sage said - Dyumtsena was a noble king in the solar dynasty. One day, the king lost his sight and became blind. As a blind king was not able to rule, he left his kingdom along with his wife and son and retired into the forest. Remember that one that is born, will die one day.
The king hearing this said That was truth that would not be averted. He said he was happy knowing that his daughter had made a good choice.
The sage said I will object to this alliance. There is no person who can beat Satyavan in qualities or looks. but a year from now, he will be no more.
The king he would now like to rethink and probably arrange for a swayamvar for his daughter. After all, life was tough for a young widow.
Savitri hearing her father said I will marry no other. If being a widow is there in my destiny, then that will come true, irrespective of whom I get married to.
Hearing this, Narada blessed the girl and left.
The king tried to convince Savitri to marry another, but she was adamant.

Death of Ravana

Ravana, shocked at the death of his son, came to fight. He saw Vibhishana and shot an arrow to kill him. Lakshmana cut that off. Angry, Ravana took a might spear and hurled that towards Lakshmana. Lakshmana fell. Hanumana then fetched the medicine and brought Lakshmana back to life.
Ravana then came back to fight. Indra sent a chariot for Rama.
Rama cut off the heads of Ravana and new heads emerged.
Vibhishana said Ravana could be killed by only one specific arrow that had been hidden by Mandodari.
In disguise, Hanumana tricked Mandodari to tell him where the weapon was and brought that to Rama.
Using that, Rama killed Ravana.
When Sita came to Rama, Rama said to her - You stayed ten months in the palace of a demon and I will not accept you.
Sita asked Lakshmana to light a pyre and jumped into that.
Agni came out and handed Sita over to Rama.
Rama then crowned Vibhishana the king of Lanka and then returned to Ayodhya.
Ravana and Kumbhakarna were none other than Jay and Vijay who were killed by Rama.
Later Jay and Vijay were born as Shishupala and Dantavakra. Shishupala tried to stop your sacrifice and was killed by Krishna. Later Krishna killed Dantravakra also.
Thus in three births, Jay and Vijaya were killed by incarnations of Vishnu.

What is your grief in front of Rama's. All will be well soon. Draupadi is pure like Savitri and should not be doubted.

Indrajit dies

In Lanka, Vibhishana told Rama about the rakshasas. The fight started with Rama cutting off the crowns from the heads of Ravana. Rama then sent Angada to Ravana. Yudhistira, it is a big story but in short, the mighty rakshasas fell one by one. Indrajit came and bound Rama and Lakshmana with snakes. Pavana asked Rama to think of Garuda, who came and drove away the snakes. Many rakshasas came after that and fell, Indrajit came back and gravely injured Rama and Lakshmana. Listening to Vibhishana, Hanumana went to fetch the mountain, Gandhamadana. With the medicines, Rama and Lakshmana and the army was revived.
Ravana then woke up Kumbhakarna and sent him to battle. Kumbhakarna tried swallowing up the army of vanaras but was killed in battle by Rama.Lakshmana went and stopped the sacrifice of Indrajit and killed him.  

Rama meets Sugriva

Seeing no one around, Ravana kidnapped Sita. Fearing Rama, he swiftly drove his chariot. Sita crying out to Rama, started dropping off her jewels in various places. Jatayu, a bird and a friend of Dashratha, fought Ravana and finally fell when Ravana cut off his wings. Ravana reached Lanka with Sita and pleaded with Sita to accept him. Sita said Rama was her Lord. Ravana then made Sita a prisoner in the Ashoka garden. Few rakshasis reamined there to guard Sita.
Rama returned to see an empty home and Lakshmana rushing towards him. Lakshmana said Sita had sent him to see if all was well with Rama. The brothers cried, looking for Sita. Rama saw some jewels of Sita and went that way. Soon he came across a dying Jatayu. Jatayu said Sita had been captured by Ravana and taken to Lanka.  Jatayu then died and Rama and Lakshmana performed the last rites of the bird. They then went towards the mountain Rishyamukha where they met the vanaras Sushena, Nala, Nila, Hanumana and Sugriva. Sugriva said Vali, his brother, had taken over his kingdom by force.
Rama agreed to help Sugriva by killing Vali. In return Sugriva promised help in rescuing Sita.
As per his word, Rama killed Vali and made Sugriva the king of Kishkindhya. After four months, search for Sita started. Hanumana was sent to look out for Sita.
Hanumana killed many rakshasas and burnt the city of Lanka. He then came back to Rama with the news.
Vibhishana asked Ravana to return Sita and Ravana insulted him, by kicking him. Vibhishana came to Rama and took his shelter. Rama promised to make Vibhishana the king of Lanka, after killing Ravana.
A bridge was built over the mighty ocean and Rama crossed over along with the vanaras. 

Rama in Panchavati

Hearing Rama had left, Dashratha died. This was due to a curse from a blind sage, that the king would die when his son left him. Ayodhya was grief stricken. Bharata heard this when he returned. He rebuked his mother. He performed the last rites of the king. When the minsters told him to become king, Bharata said he was just there to serve, and the throne belonged to Rama. he asked all to accompany him and try to get back Rama.

Bharata found Rama on the Chitrakoota mountain. He asked Rama to return. Rama was grieved to hear of the death of Dashratha. He asked Bharata to rule for fourteen years till he came and claimed his throne. Bharata said he would rule alongside Rama and asked for his slippers. Rama gave away the slippers. Bharata took that back, placed it on the throne of Ayodhya.

After Bharata left, Rama, Lakshmana and Sita left Chitrakoota. Then across the ashrama of the sage Agastya. They asked the sage where they should reside. The sage asked them to live in the forest of Panchavati.

Surpanakha, sister of Ravana, one day came there. She saw Rama and wanted him for herself. She changed her self to look like a beautiful woman and approached Rama. Rama said he was married. Surpanakha then went to Lakshmana who said he would not marry or take any woman. Surpanakha thought all this was happening because of Sita. She tried to kill Sita. Lakshmana seeing this, cut off her ears and nose.

Surpanakha went to two rakshasas, Khara and Dushana and told them what had happened. The rakshasas came to fight Rama and were killed.

Surpanakha then went to Ravana. She said she was in the forest when the son of Dashratha had cut off her ears and nose. There was a very beautiful woman there, who deserved to be in Lanka. When tried to get that woman for Ravana, her nose and ears were cut.

Hearing of the beauty of Sita, Ravana wanted to get her. He asked Maricha to help him. Maricha said he had been once attacked by Rama and he did not have the courage to face him again. When Ravana threatened to kill him, Maricha agreed to go in the guise of a golden deer. Seeing the deer, Sita wanted it. She asked Rama to get it for her. Keeping Lakshmana guard, Rama went running behind the deer.

When Rama struck the deer, it shouted out for help, in Rama's voice. Sita was shocked. She requested Lakshmana, and sent him to look for Rama.

Birth of Rama and marriage with Sita

In the solar dynasty, the king Dashratha was performing a sacrifice to get sons. Because of the great deeds he had done, Vishnu was born in his house. From the sacrificial fire, rose a pot. A voice asked the content to be divided among the queens. Seeing two queens there, the king gave the pot to them. The youngest queen, Sumitra was not there then. When she came to know, she was sad. The other two queens, Kaushlaya and Kaikeyi, gave Sumitra portions from their share.  Soon the queens were pregnant.
One by one, the queens delivered their children. The eldest son was Rama, a dusky boy, born off Kaushalya. Bharata came next, born off Kaikeyi. Sumitra had twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
The princes began growing and soon it was time for them to go and learn the scriptures and the art of using weapons.
In Mithila, the king Janaka, was farming for many days tilling his land. Lakshmi was born there. Seeing a child in the furrow, Janaka brought her up as his daughter and named her Sita.
Seeing the future, the Gods kept the bow of Shiva, in Janaka's house. They said to Janaka that he should give away his daughter to that person only, who would be able to, easily lift and bend and thus break the bow.
None could break the bow and soon Rama came there and breaking the bow, married Sita.
Listen Yudhistira, what had had happened before this.
Ravana had sent his followers to destroy sacrifices. Seeing this, the sage Vishwamitra went to Dashratha asking for Rama, who was destined to help him. Fearing the sage, the king reluctantly agreed to give Rama and Lakshmana.
On their way, they came across the ferocious rakshashi Taraka. Rama, not fearing her, killed her.
Vishwamitra then took Rama to the place where he would be performing his sacrifice. He said the rakshasas would come when he started his sacrifice. Rama said He would stay guard.
Vishwamitra started his sacrifice. In the skies, the evil Maricha, started his attack. His shadow fell on the pyre. Rama released a flaming arrow, fearing which Maricha fled from there.
The sacrifice finished peacefully.
Vishwamitra then told the princes about the bow of Shiva. Rama said he wanted to see it. Taking the two brothers with him, the sage reached Mithila.

Janaka greeted the sage. Vishwamitra said he wished Rama should marry Sita. Janaka told the sage that he was most willing to have Rama as a his son in law, except that he had promised that Sita would be given to only that person who would break the bow.

Rama said he would do that and went where the bow was, Rama lifted the bow with his left hand. The Gods were wondering if the world would sink and asking Vasuki, who was holding the earth, to be careful. Lakshmana asked Rama to hurry up. Rama took the names of the Gods and pulled the bow. The bow broke and fell down. In Lanka, Ravana heard the noise, and realized that the one who would kill him was there.

Yudhistira asked if Rama was Vishnu, then why did he take the name of Vishnu with the other Gods, before breaking the bow?

The sage said - When Hiranyakashipu was killed Narasimha, the creature kept growling and this disturbed the world. A brahmana then cursed him saying You are so proud of yourself. When you are born again, you will forget about divinity.

With the bow broken, Janaka gave away Sita to Rama. Rama said First send messengers to my father and ask him to come with my two brothers. Only when they are here, I will marry.

Janaka swiftly sent messengers. Dashratha hearing the news, came with his two sons. Janaka had another daughter who was given away to Lakshmana. Janaka's  brother, Kushadhwaja had two daughters who were given away to Bharat and Shatrughna.

Dashratha decided to leave for Ayodhya with sons and daughters in law. He got on his chariot when Parashurama appeared there.

To Rama, Parashurama said, All know that I am an enemy of the kshatriyas. You have the audacity to have the same name as mine. You think you are brave because you broke the bow of Shiva. That is an old bow. If you are brave, lift my bow.

Rama agreed. When Parashurama gave his bow to Rama, along with that all his powers also got transferred to Rama. Rama put an arrow on the bow and asked what should he do with that. Parashurama asked Rama to stop his entry to heaven.

Parashurama left and Dashratha also started for Ayodhya, with his sons and daughters in law.

Soon after, one day, Bharata decided to visit his grandfather, father of his mother. he took Shatrughna along with him. Dashratha also decided to make Rama the crown prince.

When Kaikeyi, Bharata's mother heard this from her maid, she became jealous.

When Dashratha came to her, she said she wanted two promises. The king agreed. Kaikeyi said she wanted Bharata to be made king and Rama to be exiled for fourteen years.

The king fainted and when he regained consciousness, he rebuked the queen.

Rama, when he heard this, agreed to go to the forest. Rama went to his mother and told her this and consoled her. Later, he left for the forest with his wife, Sita and Lakshmana.